<p>Does Oxbridge, Cambridge especially. look at high school transcripts. If I have 10 5's on APs and a 43 in IB but a 3.6 GPA, could I get in?</p>
<p>yes, then you’re golden. GPA is nothing, APs are crucial (you should get to the interview stage at least)</p>
<p>Not to hijack your thread, but how important are ACT and SAT scores? I’m appling for German and got a 5 on my AP exam, but the rest are pending. I was studying abroad last year and not able to take the ACT until September 12, but totally mucked up on the science and math portions but got a perfect score on the English section, and a nearly perfect score on the Reading section. With this being said, my composite score is just shy of Oxford’s requirements. I read on the website that approx 120/240 applicants are accepted for German, will my ACT totally screw up my app? Edinburgh is my first choice, but I’m wondering if it was even worth an application to Oxford :/</p>
<p>I had a 3.3 GPA (Weighted) and 8 APs (7 5’s and a 4) and got an offer to study medicine (generally one of the most competitive subjects). As long as you don’t show up naked for your interview or anything like that I’d say you’re set.</p>
<p>I don’t think Oxbridge cares too much about ACT/SAT scores. If the rest of your application is strong it probably won’t matter. Plus, even if you don’t get in it didn’t cost any extra to apply.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks! What college did you apply to? I’m hoping since the acceptance rate is about 50% for that course I’ll have a decent shot. Another thing I’m worried about is the written work required. Since I was studying abroad, I took my English and US History classes via my state’s online school program. I haven’t gotten any work back in my English class now either, and have no clue what to send.</p>
<p>I thought the interview was really important? So according to Mr Bobo, so long as your AP scores are high, the interview does not matter?</p>
<p>No, the interview is one of the most important things in your application, if you are able to go for interview. A good interview will go a long way to make up for poor test scores.</p>
<p>“A good interview will go a long way to make up for poor test scores.” Yes, but if you have poor test scores, it’s unlikely you’ll get an interview. One other thing - please don’t be fooled by the acceptance rates of Oxbridge courses which make them look easy to get into in comparison with the 10% or less acceptance rates at competitive US schools. US - UK acceptance rates are apples and oranges. What you have to consider is that every one of those 240 applicants is superbly qualified - s/he would not be allowed to apply if not. Unlike in the US system, candidates really have to receive the full support of their schools and no school wants to lose credibility by putting forward a less than stellar student. In the US, on the other hand, some students seem to apply to top rated schools ‘just to see’, on the theory that ‘if you don’t buy a lottery ticket, you don’t have a chance of winning.’ Very very different systems.</p>
<p>Well, I know that Cambridge for one interviews nearly everyone, unless you are predicted something like CDD in your A-levels, or I would imagine 332 in APs. Oxford is more selective with interviews, but if you do well on HAT or PAT or whatever, you usually get an interview, even if you do not have stellar predictions.</p>
<p>No. Noone with CDD would apply to Cambridge. And you wouldn’t take the HAT if you didn’t have stellar preditions. This applying from the UK.</p>
<p>i want to apply for cambridge medicine-- 5 on AP bio 5 on AP chem, physics and physc are pending (5 on us gov, 5 on both micro and macro economics, english lang pending). high SAT, PSAT scores. I intern and do cancer research at the National Insitutes of Health and hope to publish a paper before I leave high school-- will that make up for a lack of AP’s?</p>
<p>How much do you know about medicine/bio/chemistry, that is what the interview will consist of - practically an oral examination. Sure test scores are nice, but when two professors try to grill you, will you be able to stand out?</p>
<p>At least that is the impression I get in terms of Cambridge. The scores only get you an interview, the interview itself being far more important.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I don’t think they pay much attention to extracurricular stuff in the application, but it would definitely help if you brought it up in the interview.</p>
<p>I honestly don’t know how important the interview is. I thought I did horribly in mine, but they still gave me an offer.</p>